The Journal

The Journal

After reading the letter with my wife I really didn’t know what to say to her. I was in shock myself that we had found the letter. I have four other letters that were given to my mother to hide for me. I gave my mother specific instructions to hide these letters in a place that I could fine later in life. I guess the shock is just setting in right now. I have thought about the letter we opened and it’s the scariest thing I have written down. I was hurting tremendously at the time of writing this letter. I do remember coming home and not wanting to see or talk to anyone for a while. The disappointment was so much that I couldn’t even look at a wrestling room or wrestle. My heart was broken as well as my spirit. I don’t expect many people to understand my devastation, but it was very difficult for me. Reality would set in quickly. I told my wife that this wasn’t a mid-life crisis, it’s reality for me. I’m the type of person who sees the destination, but wants to now enjoy the journey. So with this being said, I have decided to follow through with my goal of wrestling again. I want my wife to see me wrestle one healthy match. I will train for the Veteran’s National Wrestling Championships in 2009. It will be held in Las Vegas at the Las Vegas Convention Center. It begins on April 9, 2009. I will not tell anyone until the time is right. I don’t need the extra added pressure of competing again. It’s hard enough to just begin the process of working out to accomplish the goal. It’s the journey that I want to enjoy with my wife. The hardest part will be losing the weight, getting flexible again and doing the training the right way. I will get down to 138.5 or I will not wrestle. I won’t make the same mistake I made in 1988. I haven’t been down to this weight since 1985. Like I told my wife, “I’m not who I used to be as an athlete. What once was will never be again. I will do the best I can to reach this goal.” The main objective is to compete when I’m healthy. I promised Carrie to stop training if it affects my health. My age is a factor and I don’t want to risk getting injured. Mr. Koury (my coach) has given me his blessing. He just wants me to be prepared and do it for the right reasons. I hope and pray that my wife, family, friends and colleagues will support me in completing this goal. If I place in the top three at the Veteran’s National Tournament, I will go to the 2009 Veterans World Freestyle Championships in Ankara Turkey on August 14th 2009.

I placed 2nd in both Greco Roman and Freestyle at the Veterans National Tournament in Las Vegas on April 8th and 9th 2009. The next goal is to compete in the World Championships in Turkey on August 14th. I will need all the support possible to accomplish this goal.

I went to Turkey on August 14th, 2009 and placed 2nd in the Veteran's Freestyle World Wrestling Championships for the United States. My journey is over and I'm happy to have represented the City of Peoria, Arizona and the United States. The story of my final match is interesting. My opponent was from Iran. He was a prisoner of war during the Persian Gulf War in 1991. The Gold medal will give him and his family an opportunity to get an education because of his win. My wife Carrie said, "Your destiny was to get Silver not Gold. You have given him what we believe in, an education. You have both won. He gets to go home and help his family and you get to go home accomplishing your dream of representing your country." Thanks to everyone who helped me accomplish my goal. Without you believing in me, this wouldn't have been possible. I also want to personally thank my wife, Mr. Koury and Wes and Pat Herrera for going to Turkey and supporting me on my journey. My dream of having Mr. Koury coach me in the World Championships was a life time dream. Lastly, thanks to Tim Haverluck for helping me with this website so people could read my story. Tim and his wife Rachel are the real hero's They are helping improve Ira A. Murphy Elementary School through the booster club. Without their help, times would be much tougher for everyone. Thanks again to everyone who helped support me.